Phillips Barn

This building was originally located along the Merrimack River in Penacook, New Hampshire, near the Hannah Dustin monument. The building was taken down in 1978 and reassembled on the Society grounds. It is referred to as the "Phillips Barn" because Mrs. Stephen Phillips provided the funds for moving the building.

By 2005, the building was in need of stabilization; it was off vertical by about 18 degrees and moved in the strong winds common on this ridge. With a grant from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, an assessment was completed to determine what specific work needed to be done to stabilize it and in what order that work should be completed.

NLHS undertook a major fundraising campaign to raise the $50,000 necessary for the structural work, which began in the fall of 2009 and was completed over the following months. A new metal roof was added, sufficient to handle the heavy winters snows. Drainage was redirected away from the barn and new footings added for the interior supporting posts. In addition to new wind bracing, the structure was permanently tied into the foundation and a new loft and stairs were added to provide additional storage space.

NLHS is most grateful to its many generous contributors for making this fine old structure once again available to visitors. Today, the Phillips Barn is also used as our main rental space and hosts nearly a wedding a weekend in the summer months.

In 2016, an addition was created on the back side of the Phillips Barn, in order to provide ADA-compliant restroom facilities for visitors to our village. The restrooms are accessable from the interior of the Phillips Barn or via a gentle concrete ramp at the rear of the building.